Page 2204 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (10.37): I thank Mrs Dunne for moving a motion to refer this matter to the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Young People. I want to place on the record the voices of some of the students to whom I spoke at Kambah High School. Members will be aware that I presented a petition from Kambah High School. That petition is out of order, as it does not follow Assembly rules; it was put together and signed by many students, the voters of the future. I do not think they will forget that experience in a hurry.
So far as I can discern, Kambah High School is being closed because of its small numbers. I taught at Kambah High School in the days when classrooms were bursting at the seams. I cannot say it was a particularly pleasant atmosphere in which to teach, simply because it was too full and the school was not designed well for that number of students. However, it seems to work well now with a smaller number of students. When we talk about school closures we do not hear the voices of children; we hear the voices of money crunchers and bottom liners.
Yesterday we had a dispute about the cost per student at a small school. All that aside, there is evidence to suggest that the cost is not as large as the government contends, especially if we take into account the social ramifications. However, I will deal with that issue later. I wish to refer to students at Kambah High School and in particular to one student activist. I am sure Mr Barr has talked to some of the empowered and passionate students from Kambah High School. One student who talked to Mr Barr was told that small classes were unviable.
The student to whom I am referring came from Gold Creek, which members would know is a very large school. In fact, it is one of the middle school models that the government is promulgating and it is suggesting there should be more of them. The student was put in a year 7 learning assistance class where he received such assistance, which does not always happen. It was a small class, as I believe such classes should be, and he got the attention he deserved. He is now an empowered student who is putting together petitions, holding meetings, and lobbying on behalf of other students.
That probably would not have occurred in a larger school. I know of a student in a similar situation who went to a much larger school. The student, who had potential and who was intelligent, was very shy. That child was placed in a learning assistance class from year 7 through to year 10 but did not receive the assistance that was required, so I do not think it can be argued that big is better. Sometimes government members close their ears and refuse to hear other arguments.
Academic students at Kambah High School are doing well. Students in learning assistance classes are also doing well. I do not believe Kambah High School has a high achievement stream so students find it easier to get the one-on-one help that they need. They have better and more personal relationships with their teachers. Every student is well known by his or her teacher. Students know that teachers are human beings and not just disciplinarians, and teachers say that they learn from the kids. Teachers are also not afraid to say that they have stuffed up. When an adult admits to being wrong we tend to have more respect for him or her. I think that applies also to governments.
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